As an alumni-owned and operated organization, and through its commitment to employment, experiential learning and philanthropic support, EVCO Plastics exemplifies the values and mission of UW-Stout through its significant impact on the lives of alumni and students.
EVCO, under the leadership of CEO and Chairman Dale Evans (’73), has a deep understanding of the high-quality education UW-Stout provides. It employs about 40 alumni from various engineering programs, including, plastics, manufacturing, mechanical and engineering technology. It fosters an environment where they can thrive and advance their careers.
“EVCO hires UW-Stout students and graduates alike because they arrive with real world sensibilities and offer practical solutions to problems. They’re eager to learn and collaborate, continuing to push for what’s next in plastics,” Evans said.
As a Career Services Partnership Program platinum partner, EVCO’s internship and co-op opportunities offer students hands-on experiences in the plastics industry as quality engineers, process technicians, automation engineers, production manager assistants and in human resources.
“Our biggest goal for interns is to provide a forum to not only apply what they’re learning in school, but to shine light on other areas within their chosen industry. Expanding their view of what careers look like in plastics is an important part of their time with us,” said Evans, who also finds significant benefit in Career Services’ biannual career fairs.
“UW-Stout is one of a handful of plastics-specific engineering programs in the country. These thoughtfully organized career fairs provide a deep pool of candidates who are ready and willing to jump in feet first to what’s next.”
As well as supporting Blue Devil Athletics and scholarships, EVCO has supported UW-Stout’s plastics engineering program for nearly 15 years. In 2022, the company contributed $100,000 to the program, the first donation that specifically focuses on plastics recycling.
The gift supports students’ sustainability research and project materials. EVCO also provides experts to help students with technical questions before they present their research at company headquarters in DeForest.
“We choose to support Stout students in various ways because we value what they bring not only to our company but to our industry as well,” said Evans, an industrial technology alum, who was Cabot Executive in Residence in 2016.
Plastics students research, prototype sustainable industry solutions using recycled materials
Continue ReadingEvans joined EVCO after graduation, when it was still a small company. He started the engineering and product design departments from the ground up and designed and oversaw construction of new plants. The Wisconsin-based company has 12 facilities throughout two states, China and Mexico.
“We began to expand internationally and opened operations in China in 1989 and Mexico in 2000. We’ve grown to more than 2,000 employees. My goal looking ahead is to transfer management to the next generation and become a women-owned business, as both of my daughters are in senior leadership roles in the company,” said Evans, of Windsor.
As an All-American and Blue Devil Hall of Fame wrestler, athletics was an important part of Evans’ education. “Learning how to win and set goals are very important,” he added.
